Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

116 THE PRISONER OF LA VINTRESSE. CHAPTER XXI. LA VINTRESSE AND THE RESCUE. Mruxerva had searcely recovered from this shock, when the pleasant shores of her birthplace came in view. _The scene, however, brightened her drooping eyes, and gave a little color to her pale cheek as she saw the tall Castle Moro; the flags and the signals; the houses so near the water; the innumerable masts of a heavy commerce. Her plans had been well ma- tured. Secure in her very loneliness, she did not fear for their ultimate success. The captain was ready to stand by her, and, indeed, he would not allow her to leave the ship without close attendance. How strange, and yet familiar seemed the sur- roundings, as she drew near the place of her former residence. But for the bitter reminiscences connected with past scenes, she could have kissed the smooth trunks of the gorgeous palms. The city was unusually silent; it was the fever-sea- son, and, in addition, they heard that the cholera had broken’. out with dreadful violence. The house, as they drove up the grand old avenue, hada deserted look. There were but few servants left, and the main building was Closed. Minerva went round the wide veranda till she came the kitchen inclo- sure. A woman, on her hands and was fanning with her breath a few white coals, while beside her laid a bunch of herbs, and a pan of water. In another moment the flame darted up. The servant.turned impatiently at the sound of a footstep echoing through the hollow dreariness of the great cook-room. It was Bandola. The girl gave a shriek of mingled joy andterror, sprang to her feet, looked on all sides with vague fear, ran toward Mi- nerya, and fell, weeping, on her shoulder. “Oh! it is you, then! I never, never expected to see you again. It is too much joy—I shall die of joy.” connicloooks.conn